Baun posted career-best marks across the board in 2024, finishing as the Eagles’ leading tackler (150, 11 for loss), 120 more than his previous career-best mark. He recorded five forced fumbles, finishing in a tie for the second-most among all NFL linebackers and becoming one of only two players to record 150-plus tackles and five-plus forced fumbles since 2000. He set a new high in sacks, too, with 3.5, stuffing a résumé that earned him his first All-Pro selection, his first Pro Bowl nod. He is also a finalist for the 2024 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

It was an incredible leap from where Baun stood when he left the Saints. It also left many wondering why it took so long for Baun to swap roles.

Baun left New Orleans in search of an opportunity with a proven winner and didn’t need much convincing to move to Philadelphia, where the Eagles had already reached a Super Bowl in the previous 24 months and were positioning themselves for another deep run entering 2024. He also knew he needed to find a place that would capitalize on his talents.

It didn’t take him long to realize he’d made the right choice.

“They didn’t say anything to me (about fit) because I was cool with either, honestly, whether it was on the ball or off the ball,” Baun said. “I got here and they’re like you’re going with Bobby King, the inside linebackers coach, and I’m like ‘OK, cool, that’s a good start. I’ll start at inside linebacker.’ And then I ended up asking (defensive coordinator) Vic (Fangio), ‘when am I gonna get some snaps outside?’ And he was like ‘we’ll see,’ and at that point, I knew.”